Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II

   


   A-10C

A-10     A-10 display　 　　　
 

Download A-10 Drawing(pdf)
A-10 Thunderbolt II
The A-10 Thunderbolt II was selected from proposals submitted for a next-generation attack aircraft program launched in 1970, aimed at addressing the shortage of close air support capabilities experienced during the Vietnam War. It made its maiden flight in October 1975, and deployment began in March 1976. Although the Vietnam War had already ended, large numbers were deployed to Europe during the Cold War, designed to strike Warsaw Pact armored forces using a powerful, nose-mounted 30mm cannon capable of penetrating tank armor. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War in 1991, some questioned the aircraft's necessity; however, its distinguished service in the Gulf War, the Bosnian conflict, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq silenced these doubts, and it remains in active use today.
Its thick, straight wings provide excellent low-speed maneuverability and allow for a large fuel capacity, while thick titanium alloy armor around the cockpit and other critical areas enhances survivability. Large, high-bypass turbofan engines are mounted on the upper fuselage; this configuration offers low fuel consumption suitable for long-duration flights, reduces the risk of foreign object ingestion during ground operations, and helps shield the exhaust outlets behind the horizontal and twin vertical stabilizers, making the aircraft less susceptible to infrared detection. (Source: Ikaros Publications, "World's Famous Aircraft Series: A-10 Thunderbolt II")
As a paper airplane, its straight-wing design—featuring a higher aspect ratio compared to typical jet fighters—promises excellent flight performance.

How to Build the A-10 Thunderbolt II
Print the downloaded blueprints onto heavy paper, such as Kent paper. Please install Acrobat Reader to view and print the files. Since the paper is thick, please adjust your printer settings for cardstock or postcard printing. Gray or silver-gray paper is recommended to achieve a military aircraft look.
Cut the parts out from the template along the thick lines. Dotted lines and dash-dot lines indicate mountain folds and valley folds, respectively; use a ruler to pre-fold these lines before applying glue. For Main Wing 1, create a slight upward angle (dihedral) of 7° at approximately the inner one-third mark. Crease the sides of Horizontal Stabilizer 2 (up and down) and glue together Vertical Stabilizers 3 and 4; the thin center line should face downward. Sandwich Cockpit Section 6 between the two pieces of Part 5, then glue Fuselage Part 7 over this assembly so that the cockpit section is enclosed inside. Glue the Front Fuselage (Part 8) in place. Next, attach Nose Cover 9 to cover the nose. Unlike the actual aircraft, the nose tip will have a flat section; this design feature enhances safety in the event of a collision and increases the nose's durability. Attach the main wings and tail assembly to the underside of the fuselage; the small arrows indicate the direction of the nose. To assemble the engine, wrap the engine nacelle section around a pen barrel or similar object to curve it, then overlap the inner glue tabs to form a cylinder. Since the engine is intended for display, attach it to the fuselage just behind the main wings using a clip or similar fastener, but remove it before flying. Permanently fixing the engine increases air resistance and disrupts the center of gravity, significantly impairing flight performance.

Finishing
Give the main wings a slight upward curve (camber) and check to ensure there is no uneven twisting between the left and right sides.
If flying the model outdoors, apply a thin coat of lacquer over the entire aircraft to improve water resistance and strength. A clear spray lacquer is recommended, as it allows for a thin, even application. The center of gravity will be in the optimal position once the model is painted.

Adjustment and Flight
When handling the aircraft, hold it by the front-to-middle section of the fuselage or by the wing roots. The tail assembly and wingtips lack the structural strength to support the aircraft's full weight; holding it by these parts can cause deformation or breakage.
View the aircraft from the front and ensure there is no left-right twisting.

When launching with a rubber-band catapult, it is generally best to adjust the trim so the nose is held slightly down. Adjust the model to fly a gentle left-hand turn.
Tilt the aircraft to the right, aim it steeply upward (60–75 degrees), and launch it using the rubber-band catapult.
With proper adjustment, the aircraft will climb while turning and then transition into a gliding flight at altitude.

Business card version　F/A-18E  New!
A-10　
I made a business-card-sized A-10 model. Although it is exactly half the size of the A4 version, it flies remarkably well. Because it is lightweight and has low kinetic energy, it is safe to fly indoors.
The parts are small, so please cut them out carefully. When you fold the cockpit section inward, it will pop up from the fuselage. Attach both the main wings and the tail wings so that the printed side faces downward against the fuselage.
The scale is 1/97 for the A4 version and 1/194 for the business-card version. Regarding the aircraft's weight (which varies in the actual craft depending on its equipment and fuel load), the A4 version is approximately 1/2,500,000 of the original, while the business-card version is 1/15,000,000.
Doｗnload A-10（Business card version）

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